After contentious dealmaking halted preproduction on Mission: Impossible 6, earlier this summer, Tom Cruise is on the verge of closing his deal to return to the Paramount action-thriller franchise.

Cruise’s return for a sixth installment in a movie series that he has been toplining and producing since 1996 seemed like a no-brainer, but negotiations with Paramount took an unexpected turn with the studio, which was co-financing the movie with Skydance, digging in on things such as backend profit participation.

The project was heading toward a January 2017 start when the pause button was pushed.

Now sources tell THR that issues have been resolved and M:I6 is being restarted. Spring 2017 will be the new start time.

Christopher McQuarrie, who reinvigorated the franchise with the fifth installment, wrote the script and will direct.

Regal Entertainment Group announced on Tuesday that Tom Cruise will be the celebrity for the Knoxville-based theater chain’s 2016 red-carpet fundraiser benefitting Variety — the Children’s Charity of Eastern Tennessee.

Cruise will be at the Regal Pinnacle 18 in Turkey Creek on Monday, Oct. 17 for a special local premiere of his upcoming film “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” which is set to hit theaters on Oct. 21.

“As one of the biggest movie stars of all time, Regal is truly honored to roll out the red carpet for Tom Cruise and welcome him to East Tennessee. From his illustrious film career to his philanthropic efforts, Tom is the epitome of a true Hollywood star,” said Greg Dunn, President and Chief Operating Officer of Regal Entertainment Group, in a press statement. “We also extend our sincerest gratitude to our friends at Paramount Pictures and Skydance for making this screening possible and helping raise funds for Variety’s special needs children.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 16 at Pinnacle, Riviera and West Town Mall and cost $50 each, with proceeds benefitting Variety. Guests at the event will enjoy a catered reception in the Pinnacle lobby before Cruise walks the red carpet. After a red-carpet reception, attendees will view the film.

For the past 15 years, Regal Entertainment Group has presented at least one Variety premiere event each year. Previous celebrities who have attended Knoxville red-carpet screenings include “Twilight” stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner; Jack Black for the movie “Goosebumps”; Liam Hemsworth for “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”; and Hugh Jackman for the movie “Real Steel,” among many others.

An arm of Variety — The Children’s Charity, the local Regal-sponsored Variety of Eastern Tennessee raises money for a number of organizations that benefit children, including East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Emerald Youth Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank, Mission of Hope, Imagination Library and many others.

Since 2001, the local chapter of Variety has generated more than $9 million to assist children in East Tennessee.